Bill Would Make Animal Cruelty a Felony Nationwide

Legislation proposed by two Florida congressmen would make animal cruelty and bestiality a felony across the United States punishable by up to seven years in prison.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that two representatives, Republican Vern Buchanan and Democrat Ted Deutch, have sponsored the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act. PACT would make crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating and impaling animals or sexually exploiting them a federal felony.

PACT was drafted after some lawmakers felt that 2010 legislation meant to stop animal "crushing" videos didn't go far enough. The Sentinel reports that PACT has been passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate twice, but was blocked from the House floor both times by former Republican Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia. Goodlatte is no longer in Congress.

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